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Bukidnon Travel Guide

Right in the heart of Mindanao, the highlands of Bukidnon literally explode with breathtaking sceneries from its cool climate to rugged mountains, plateaus, canyons, waterfalls, springs, vast pineapple and rose farms to its extremely diverse flora and fauna and to the colorful tribes of Bukidnon, Higaonon, Talaandig, Manobo, Matigsalug, Tigwahanon and Umayamnon that call this beautiful province home.

Virtually landlocked, Bukidnon is located in North Central Mindanao and is bordered by Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City to the north, Agusan del Sur and Davao del Norte to east, Lanao del Sur to the west and North Cotabato, Davao del Sur and Davao City to the south. Malaybalay City, the capital, is about 91 kilometers away by road from Cagayan de Oro City. By area, Bukidnon is the 4th largest province in the Philippines and virtually makes up 59% of the entire region of Northern Mindanao. Before the Spaniards came to colonize the Philippines, Visayan migrants settled in neighboring Misamis, thus driving the original inhabitants of the region further inland towards the mountains and these people were eventually called ‘Bukidnon(s)’ which means ‘people of the mountains’, a term derived from the Cebuano language – from which the province got its name. Bukidnon used to be part of the Misamis Province and then Agusan afterwards, Bukidnon became a province on its own in 1917.

Called as one of the traditionalistic ethnic groups in the Philippine south, the Bukidnons are composed of seven different tribes which are indigenous to the province: Talaandig, Higaonon, Bukidnon, Umayamnon, Matigsalug, Manobo and Tigwahanon. The names of the tribes were derived from the areas where they lived (i.e. Tigwahanuns – refers to the people who live along the banks of the Tigwa River). The tribes still practice a lot of their ancient rituals and practices which are enforced by their own Datus (Chieftains) who stand as the political and spiritual rulers of each tribe. Being rich in aesthetic heritage, Bukidnon is rich in oral folk literature such as the Olaging (an epic about the cultural hero Agyu), Bayok-bayok (verses), Limbay (lyric poems), Antoka (riddles), Idangdang (ballads), Nanangon (folktales), Sala (love songs), Basahan (proverbs), Tutalanun (stories of origins of names of places and things), Dasang (debate in verses during settling of the bride price) and the Kaliga-on which are ceremonial songs sung during the Kaliga rituals (the pamamayok which is sung by men, and the tabok which is sung by women while dancing the dugso.)

One can visit some of these ancestral territories like the Talaandigs in Barangay Sonco in Lantapan town where an entire community of people are actively working to revive and preserve the ancient ways of the tribe. The customary law is enforced in this area. There is a school in the territory where tribe elders teach their young how to learn and appreciate their traditional embroidery, music, literature, arts, and dance.

For fans of weaving, Bukidnon never fails to impress as traditionally, visual arts are expressed usually in weaving along with crafts, beadworks, and embroidery, patchwork and earth paintings. You may look for the three different kinds of weave- Tinilogas, Tigdaruwa, and Tigtatulo. Bukidnon clothing is usually identifiable by its use of geometric shapes (Binitu-on, Binabangon, and Kinabuka) with strong splashes of black, red, white and blue which is also present with the traditional headdress called ‘panika’. For Bukidnon embroidery, look for the pinamulaan which is made through a process called the panulam.

From mid-February up to March 10 of every year, an ethnic cultural festival is held in Malaybalay City to celebrate the gathering of culture and tradition of the seven tribes during the Kaamulan Festival. The festival derives its name from the Binukid word “amul” which means ‘to gather’. Started in 1974, Kaamulan serves as a gathering of sorts like a datuship ritual, a wedding, a thanksgiving, a peace pact or all of these combined.

Being a multicultural society, Bukidnon also hosts American, Chinese, Indonesian, Koreans and British residents who are engaged in business, trade, research, study, tourism and mission work.
Aside from colorful cultures and traditions of the province, Bukidnon also boasts gorgeous natural sites and probably its most prominent natural landmark is the Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park located in North Central Bukidnon, with 31,297 hectares of lush mountain peaks including the peaks which include Mt. Dulang-dulang that can be reached via three trail routes through the towns of Kaatuan, Lantapan, Sumilao, Impasug-ong, Bol-ugan, Lupiagan, Intavas, and La Fortuna. Mt. Kitanglad towers to about 9,511 feet (2,889 meters), and is the fourth tallest peak in the Philippines. Mount Kitanglad is home to virgin forests and has now been declared as a National Park and a Protected Area by the Philippine government. Other peaks that are worth seeing is the Musuan Peak in Dologon, Maramag which has an elevation of 646 meters offers a good early morning climb, Mt. Capistrano in Malaybalay which was used as an evacuation area during World War 2, Mount Pulog in Manolo Fortich which offers great views of the rose farms and the gorgeous Pigsuguan Hills in Siloo, Malitbog. The canyons of Saray (Sta. Ines, Malitbog) and Mangima (Manolo Fortich) also offer spectacular natural views. Mangima Canyon usually is the site for off-road competitions and usually considered as the equivalent of Baguio City’s Kennon Road. Check out the Abyawan Ridge to get a view of the Tagoloan River which snakes through the beautiful canyons through the barrios of Lingi-on, Sto Niño and Dalirig in Manolo Fortich.

Along the boundary of Manolo Fortich and Sumilao are the Palapao Hills (836 feet) which were said to be used as burial grounds during early 19th century with coffins and artifacts tucked in their caves, rock shelters and limestone grounds with designs that were traced back to the Metal Age.

Proving that Bukidnon is one big thrill destination, just recently opened is Asia’s longest Dual Cable Zipline at the Dahilayan Adventure Park in Manolo Fortich with dual carrying cables each stretching 840 meters from point to point with an elevation drop of 100 meters and an estimated speed of 60-100 kilometers per hour!

Being gifted with such amazing natural wonders, Bukidnon, despite being landlocked, is also home to many notable bodies of water like the Napalit Lake- a 36-hectare lake by the foot of the Kalatungan Mountains in Pigtauranan, Pangantucan. The lake is 80 feet deep with about 24 islets of different sizes floating parallel to the direction of the wind. The largest of these islets is at least 50 feet wide. The serene Lake Apo in Valencia City is lined with lush vegetation hugged by the hills and mountains around it. Apo, a 24 hectare lake with depths ranging from 17-26 meters, is a rift lake of circular shape atop a mountain floor and said to be one of the cleanest in the entire Northern Mindanao. Other lakes that abound in the provinces include the Pinamaloy Lake in Don Carlos (50 hectares, guitar-shaped), and the Malagana Lake in Malitbog which is home to wild ducks and teems with fish. Aside from lakes, Bukidnon is also known for its rivers, the most famous is the Pulangui River (Dologon, Maramag) and also the rivers of Siloo (Malitbog) and the Bubonawan River- the latter with a waterfall measuring 100 meters, Check out Monte Shanna Lake and the Mabuhay Lakes and the Badiangon, Tingag, and Bindol Falls of Malitbog too.

Kalilangan has many springs and lakes like the Panamsamon Spring, Tausa and Panta Lakes, Ulayan Spring, the sulfuric Salty Water Lake, Ticog Lake, and the Tinambacan Spring. In Damulog, numerous springs can be found such as the Malingling, Kapiling, Lagasan, Pangantapan Springs as well as the 60 feet high Minlaya Falls. The Kulaman Falls and Mawi-e River which are regarded as some of the cleanest in the region can be found in the town of San Fernando.

In Malaybalay City (Sitio Lalawan, Barangay Dalwangan), there is a bird watching tower which gives rare glimpses to a Philippine symbol- the rare and endangered Philippine Eagle (one of the world’s biggest raptors) as well as other birds like the giant scops, Philippine hanging parakeets, owls, fly catchers, brahmine kies and many jungle fowls from Mt. Kitanglad ranges.

The Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) is a giant forest raptor endemic to the Philippines. It is considered one of the largest and most powerful eagles in the world. Unfortunately, it is also one of the world’s rarest and certainly among its most critical endangered vertebrate species.Photo by MalNino

Bukidnon is every spelunkers paradise because for the astounding number of caves worth exploring starting off with the Paiyak Cave in the town of Sumilao. This cave is located by the southern wall of the Palao-pao Mountains with many stalactite and stalagmite formations which developed for over a million years! Still in Sumilao is the Basag Cave, with its 8 waterfalls and a good number of stalactites and stalagmites, and it is still hardly explored. Other caves in Sumilao are the Sumalsag Cave (currently holding the longest cave title in Northern Mindanao with 1859 meters) and the Lagundang Cave (with a 225-foot entrance and affectionately referred to locally as their own mini-Niagara Falls). Crabs and fish can be found in the ponds inside the Lagundang Cave. The Salawaw Cave in Valencia City, a must for adventure seekers, meanwhile has calcite formations and a cave pool which is part an extensive cave stream and is home to large crickets measuring 10 centimeters long and arthropods as well as ophidians – a more scientific and less threatening term for spiders and snakes, respectively. Another cave of note in Valencia City would be the Kasanayan Cave which has a river running inside it also contains stalactites, 400 meters deep from the opening. Other caves in the province that may warrant a spelunker’s attention would be the Blue Water, Kabyaw, Sagongsong Caves and the White Mountains and Caves and Rock Walls (Quezon), Quarry Cave (Kitaotao), Liroan Cave (Malitbog), Bogsok Cave (Libona). Borantawan Cave (Talakag), Minsulahog Cave (Baungon), Spiring, Kisolop and the Linking Caves (Kibawe).

The town of Baungon meanwhile is home to two of the world’s rarest flowers- the Rafflesia and the Amorphophallus Paeoniifolius. Species of rafflesia are found all over Southeast Asia including the many islands of the Philippines. Malaysians may be very familiar with this flower as this is considered as Sabah’s state flower as well as the state flower of Indonesia and Surat Thani Province of Thailand. The rafflesia, now found in Baungon (called as “Kolon Busaw” by locals) was said to be extinct as its last sighting was on the Philippines’ tallest mountain- Mount Apo back in 1881.
With all these spectacular eco-tourism sites, Bukidnon also plays host to monasteries. The most famous of these is the Monastery of Transfiguration in Malaybalay City which sits on top of a hill in Barangay San Jose. The monastery which is run by Benedictine monks grabs any architecture enthusiast for its pyramid design- courtesy of the Philippines’ National Artist for Architecture Leandro Locsin, the same architect who designed the modernist buildings of the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City in the National Capital Region. The monastery is also famous for its own brand of coffee “Monk’s Blend” which is grown right there. Another monastery worth mentioning is the Carmelite Sisters’ Monastery also in Malaybalay, which is known for its flower gardens and as a place for rest and retreat.

A visit to Bukidnon would never be complete without a trip to the Del Monte Pineapple Plantation in Manolo Fortich, said to be one of the biggest pineapple plantations in the world. The plantation was incorporated in 1926 and is one of the oldest and largest agro-industrial firms in the country. The majority of the plantations’ products are exported all over world – Europe, Middle East, USA and other parts of Asia.

Why Not Go

Being landlocked, Bukidnon is devoid of any beaches which are characteristically common to a lot of Philippine destinations. Traveling between towns and even within towns in Bukidnon is a major challenge and we found that out the moment we stepped out of the bus into the pouring rain in Manolo Fortich, which looked like a very sleepy town even on a Monday.

Why Go

Bukidnon largely goes unmentioned in most mainstream travel guides because, primarily, the province is all bundled together with the stigma that the mere mention of the word Mindanao carries. This makes the province virtually devoid of tourists or travelers that most other popular destinations in the Philippines usually get. However, this makes Bukidnon even more appealing to the intrepid traveler if one wants to get off the main tourist circuits and take in a whole new experience – adventure, ancient cultures and nature- probably one of the many underrated (and virtually unheard of) travel destinations in the Philippines, not only for foreign travelers but also for a majority of Filipinos.

Best Time to Visit

The province is mostly away from the Philippines typhoon alley and is largely spared from such. Year-round, the province enjoys mostly great weather. Rains do come during the latter part of the year however. The climate is cool due to its altitude and the temperatures are usually compared to those of Baguio City.

Where to Stay

Since we did Bukidnon only for a day trip, we did not have the chance to stay in any of the hotels, resorts or guesthouses in the province, however, the Bukidnon government site has a listing of places to stay while there. Check this link of places to stay (http://www.bukidnon.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=273&Itemid=358)

Where & What to Eat

Probably one of the things we will never forget while we were in Bukidnon was how succulent and tender the steaks were at the Del Monte Golf Club House. For just over PhP300 we had a set lunch of steak with gravy, fresh garden salad, soup, mashed potato, fresh fruit cocktails and glass of real, honest-to-goodness pineapple juice! From the bus stop at Manolo Fortich, find your way to a queue of multi-cabs and ask to be dropped off at the Kawayanon where you have to walk up a sloping road about a hundred meters away from the main road and then you will find the club house. Tell the guards nicely that you want to have lunch at their club house.

Aside from steaks, Bukidnon is also known for the freshest fruits and vegetables, so never forget to try some of Bukidnon’s produce straight from the many farms and ranches in the province.

A lovely steak meal in Manolo FortichPhoto by Ryan Buaron

Nightlife

Bukidnon is not known for an exciting nightlife even compared to the neighboring city of Cagayan de Oro. The best place to spend the night in Bukidnon would be staying in mountain retreats, and private farms. There are many resorts as well around the province where one can rest during your stay in the province.

My to do List

1. Try Asia’s longest Zipline at Dahilayan Adventure Park.**
2. Have a hearty steak lunch at the Del Monte Golf Club House in Manolo Fortich.*
3. Get a bag of ‘Monk’s Blend’ at the Monastery of Transfiguration.*
4. Go waterfall/spring/lake hopping!
5. Trek and see two of the world’s rarest flowers in Baungon.*
6. Go spelunking in Sumilao.
7. Witness the Kaamulan Festival **
8. Visit the Talaandig Ancestral Territory. *
9. Take home some traditional weavings for souvenirs.**
*- Highly Recommended
**- Recommended by Locals

Stay Away From

Contrary to what most travel advisories say about Mindanao, Bukidnon is a very safe place for travelers (local or foreign). Communist rebels are said to operate in the very remote parts of the province, make sure to check with the local tourism office or your travel operator first before venturing out to hike. For us, the major annoyance was the unreliability of the transportation even within towns like we experienced in Manolo Fortich.

Having said that, terrorism is a real threat all over the world (other countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Spain and the US itself have been victimized by much worse terrorist attacks) and not just Mindanao. The fact that the world has been brainwashed that Mindanao is a warzone is unfair and untrue.

1. Mosquitoes! – just bring bug repellent to be sure
2. Drowning – Make sure you wear a working life-vest when swimming in bodies of water!
3. Getting wet, take Ziplocs with you for your gadgets and valuables.
4. Protect yourself from UV rays by putting on a sunblock.
5. Be aware of your surroundings, report suspicious looking packages or individuals.

Getting There

One can take a ferry to Cagayan de Oro and take a bus or drive all the way to Bukidnon. While in Cagayan de Oro, ask to be taken to the Agora Bus Terminal servicing buses for Bukidnon. Travel time from Cagayan de Oro to the closest Bukidnon town of Manolo Fortich is about 1 hour and 1.5 hours to Malaybalay (about 104 kilometers). The main modes of transport in and around Bukidnon are buses and multicabs. Malaybalay is also accessible from Davao City via Salawagan, Quezon, Bukidnon with an estimated travel time of 3.5 hours (208 kilometers). The nearest airport for Bukidnon would be the Lumbia airport in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental where most Philippine airlines fly. However, a newer airport is set to open in 2012 in Laguindingan also in Misamis Oriental and would be accepting international flights.

Ryan supports socially and environmentally responsible and sustainable tourism, as well as the promotion of the Philippines as an alternative Asian tourist destination.
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44 Responses to “Bukidnon”

Whoa! It’s such a shame I never have thought that it is called Bukidnon because it is naturally abounded by mountains until I read this post. Well, in the first place, I wasn’t aware that Bukidnon is typically a province made up of mountains. All I know are just those in the Cordillera Region. Great job writing this post! Very informative.

Good post! I may have missed it in your post….but you might want to include a place called Nasuli as an interesting place to visit. It was run by American missionaries for many years…and I grew up there in the 60’s and 70’s. I’m actually heading back that way in two weeks…the mission is finally moving out of the location. The Nasuli pool is absolutely gorgeous and well worth having a look at.

i hope the roads _are_ as bad as the previous poster suggested so bukidnon won’t be overrun by tourist snobs (or wannabes).

i would like to go to bukidnon before january ends. is the del monte clubhouse open to the public or do i need to be with someone who works there?

also, would it be better to hire a car/driver to take us from the cdo airport to bukidnon for a day trip? how much should i expect to pay for one whole day (car/driver)? i plan on spending the night in cagayan de oro.

Going to Manolo Fortich from CDO, the roads were okay. Around Manolo Fortich it was okay too… For the Del Monte Clubhouse, it is open to the public, tell the guards that you wanted to eat at the restaurant. That’s what we did..

Hmmm, hiring a cab would be really expensive, but it is your choice. What we did was just we took the bus from CDO and had them drop us off at the main square along the National Highway in Manolo Fortich and we then we took a multicab going to Kawayanon/Del Monte Golf Clubhouse Restaurant. They would drop us off just off the private road (there is a church on the other side of the road) leading to the clubhouse and from there you walk to the guardhouse.

You need to be patient however if you do it this way, multicabs are not very frequent and the buses are quite rickety and can sometimes be super full coming back to CDO but it is the cheapest way.

I will try check how much is a cab from CDO, but they are not cheap. Just going to Mapawa from the bus terminal – all within CDO limits was already at PhP500.

You mentioned Mapawa – this is the adventure park, right? Do you think it would be too much to do in one day if we land in cdo around 9am, drive to bukidnon for lunch (possibly with friends), maybe go around a bit before heading to Mapawa for the rest of the afternoon? I’d like to try white water rafting, ziplining and maybe one or two more activities. I plan on being in CDO for only 2 night so hiring a car/driver might be the most practical at least for one day. If this is too much for one day, what must-see attractions in bukidnon would you recommend if we have at least 2 hours (after lunch) to spare?

I think you would stretching it a little bit if you wanted to do Mapawa and Bukidnon at the same time. If you can only spare 2 hours for Bukidnon, then Manolo Fortich (del Monte Golf Club House) is the only thing that you can do at the most. Bukidnon is huge, you cant do everything in one day. If you can make it straight from the airport to Manolo Fortich, the trip there should be over an hour at most (from the airport in Lumbia).

If you can try to be in Mapawa before lunchtime, I think you can go zip lining, with the other activities there like white water rafting, you may want to contact people ahead first – (Mapawa Nature Park booking office call-+638822725265 or 09081285454- You can try look for Iggy Pelaez, good contact of mine, tell him I referred you guys). Check out the Misamis Oriental article for more information. :)

We just got back from the Philippines…we spent 4 days down in Bukidnon…at a place called Nasuli…between Malaybalay and Valencia. Roads were very good….we hired a cab driver to take us to Nasuli….he charged 1800 pesos which I thought was quite reasonable considering the convenience and his wicked driving! (grin). I think a person has to remember that he may not get a fare on the way back and he lived in Cagayan de Oro.

In case anyone here has never seen the pool at Nasuli….here is an interactive panorama of the pool that I took while there. It’s called a Gigapan…this one is made up of about 500 separate photos that are stitched together. When you view it…double click on the picture and you will find that you can zoom way into the picture, grab it with your mouse and move around the panorama. Enjoy!

Thanks for that information and wow! excellent panoramic photo there! I haven’t used this kind of program before, I’ve always wanted to do something like that, I have an autopanorama on my camera but not the one that stitches 500 photos… :/ Any tips on that side too?

Brw if you are on Facebook, be a fan on our Fanpage – Tourism Paradise Philippines. and share your photos please.. Thanks!

Now that page here is a lovely find from google (while searching for “Fiestas in the Phils”).
As I always prefer “destinations off the beaten path”, I am sure to get a lot of new inspiration from your website. and as I am in the country in early March, I may even have the chance to see the Bukidnon festival…..
keep up the great work

The Philippines is totally off the beaten path. especially since it is off the main tourist trail of mainland Southeast Asia, and also because it is composed of so many islands, you are bound to experience quite a different side of Asian travel while in the Philippines. Some things will feel familiar, some things will feel strange – but I promise you, it will be a different experience.

Hi ! I want to know what can i see in Bukidnon ? Is it nice place ?
What about the mountain ? & How many hours flight if i go there
by airplane ? Or what about the superferry boat ? Which one is
better ? Well , i’veen to CDO b4… & I just been to Camiguin
Island… & I didn’t know that from CDO to Bukidnon can go by
the bus… P.S help me !

Hi M.s. Chris, Bukidnon is a really gorgeous, gorgeous place. What to do and see Bukidnon? Please reread my article again – there are heaps mentioned there. :) I think the information on how to get to Bukidnon have been discussed in the above article.

“Getting There

One can take a ferry to Cagayan de Oro and take a bus or drive all the way to Bukidnon. While in Cagayan de Oro, ask to be taken to the Agora Bus Terminal servicing buses for Bukidnon. Travel time from Cagayan de Oro to the closest Bukidnon town of Manolo Fortich is about 1 hour and 1.5 hours to Malaybalay (about 104 kilometers). The main modes of transport in and around Bukidnon are buses and multicabs. Malaybalay is also accessible from Davao City via Salawagan, Quezon, Bukidnon with an estimated travel time of 3.5 hours (208 kilometers). The nearest airport for Bukidnon would be the Lumbia airport in Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental where most Philippine airlines fly. However, a newer airport is set to open in 2012 in Laguindingan also in Misamis Oriental and would be accepting international flights.”

hi,
i am from bukidnon..and i can proudly say that our place is nice and beautiful..the road from cagayan de oro city up to the last town of bukidnon is good so you dont have to worry about it, and the people here is also nice, so take a look and visit bukidnon. you will enjoy it here.

HMMP…have you ever been to bukidnon…especially on the city of malaybalay?im a bonafide resident of malaybalay…this city is full of wonderful&friendly people..there is also a great place to stroll to..hope you could go here in our peaceful and lovely city..with cool weather and warm people……………………please come!mwaahhhhh…:-)

I am from Bukidnon, in the city of Valencia and I am always excited to see any write-ups about Bukidnon. I am currently living in Makati City so I don’t get to go back home as often as I would love to.

Not too many people know Bukidnon nor are aware of the activities that can be done there. I have to say, “two thumbs up”” for experiencing Bukidnon.

hi!
me and my friends are planning to go to Waig Spring Resort @ Maramag, Bukidnon…
We’ve heard that it’s a really nice place so spend vacation not just for the summer but anytime of the year…
Just want to know what is the mode of transportation from Davao to Maramag (downtown area) then to Waig?
tnx much =))

hey guys! I am from Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon visit us here and you will see the real beauty of nature and if you want an adventure the dahilayan adventure park will be amazing one the highest zip line in Asia. SO NICE HERE AND VISITORS ARE VERY MUCH WELCOME.

hello sheryl….my friends and i are flying to CDO on march 7-11. as i was searching the net, i realized that there are more places to see and experience in bukidnon than in CDO. so im planning that we head off to bukidnon as soon as we reach CDO and spent 2 days and one night there.
would you mind helping us plan our itinerary while we are @ bukidnon? what i have in my list so far is to have lunch at del monte club house and experience the zipline in dahilayan park, also visit the monastery to get the mon’s blend.
it’s too bad that we will miss the kaamulan festival.

but before we do that do you have a recommeded place where we could stay? we are on a low budget trip so i appreciate if we could get a place that is affordable and safe. our only requirement is to have a private toilet and bath and an a/c.

Ryan,
Thanks for posting Bukidnon. Another exciting experience one can have in Bukidnon is conquering Mount Kalatungan. It is the 6th highest peak of the country, towering 2,824 meters asl. It can be easily accessed in the municipality of Pangantucan, 24kms from Maramag taking buses/vans bound for Wao. Falls and lakes are visible and even accessible along the trail. The 3-day trail is relatively difficult, extreme…

hello pipz|| i guess you forgot to visit Mt.Kitanglad ^^. maybe other people forgot that malaybalay city is the main capital city of bukidnon not manolo. check tourism office @ kaamulan site @ malaybalay city proper. just laocated @ the back of provincial office of bukidnon.

i climbed mt. kitanglad 25 years back. it was steep and very challenging and took us from 6am to 4 in the afternoon. there is a radio relay station at the top (i believe it was owned by RCPI back then). Lucky for us, a friend had a contact and we negotiated for an overnight stay at the peak. Not the best accomodation to say the least (we had to sleep in rectangular plywood bunkbeds – imagine being inside a coffin with a light bulb inside), but the warmth was so welcome and the rest was so good after that grueling climb… for those who are intrepid enough, climbing mt. kitanglad is a must.

Its been 16 years when I left Bukidnon, and this may 13, I’m glad I’m coming home.
I’m sort of forgot how to get there because I’m only 12 when I left.
I can’t wait to be there. My officemates plan to go with me on my next year vacation in Bukidnon. So excited ^___^

I grew up in the Philippines, but moved to the States when I was 15. I’m planning to go back within about 1-2 years from now, but besides going back to my own province I’d really like to go to Bukidnon. Actually, I’ve been wanting to see the place ever since I was about 8 or 9 years old (I haven’t fully figured out why; I have no relatives there, but I would always dream of being in the middle of a huge pineapple plantation). It’s great to know that it’s not as popular as the other tourist spots! I would hate to see it all commercialized and far uprooted from its origins.

I just had one question: what do you think would be an ideal maximum number of days spent there? Since I’m planning to visit friends and relatives in other places, I’d like to spread out my time wisely, but I also have been dreaming of going to Bukidnon one day and would not want to rush my stay there… it’s almost like going on a mini-sabbatical/retreat/reflection.

Thank you for this detailed information about our province Bukidnon! I grew up in this place but never ventured much to other towns. I never knew that there are many lakes in our place until I read this post, hehe. It reminds me that I should explore my province more. Indeed it’s true that transportation to the rural towns can be really difficult but hopefully something will be done about it. Even without the recreational parks or resorts, I simply love our place for its beautiful views of the mountains and forests! :D

I miss Bukidnon everyday so I go home everyday (though I work in the City). It is indeed a blessed place and I am so blessed to be living here.

BTW, this is very comprehensive article about my Hometown. Great Job!

Though to add, there is one thing I highly recommend to tourists and locals alike. Try to Climb Mt. Kitanglad Peak. I did it with Friends from Work just last month. Trail was challenging, company was fun, view was awesome. More than anything, the climb itself was a learning experience.

This is one thing that makes me say, “Choosing to work near home over my stint in Metro Manila is one thing I’ll never regret.”

Hi Ryan!Thank You for this Post.It’s very Informative and also helps for those people who doesn’t know Bukidnon at all,as Mention once a place belong in Mindanao people thought that its dangerous.but not all. terrorism is a real threat all over the world.

I actually born in Bukidnon,where the Bogsok cave situated,we even go there once with all my Sk Councilor and Members.Its very beautiful.Living there for 30yrs,I can really proved that Bukidnon is a peaceful and lovely province.

Hi Ryan! My husband and i will be in CDO by aug3-8. Maybe you can help us on our itenerary. We are planning to go to bukidnon first then go back to CDO for the water rafting then spend the rest to camiguin. Do you think 2dys 1nyt is enough for us to bukidnon?Will be arriving CDO airport around 9am.

Analyn, can’t help but reply. I was just in CDO last March. 2 days in Bukidnon will not be enough. Anyway, spend a day in Dahilayan Advernture Park. Move on to Maramag and stay overnight in one of the spas there.

great articel about Bukidnon is very informative, but about the raflesia in Baungon its correctly the Rafflesia Schadenbergiana and it was found in Sitio Kalanganan, Barangay San Vicente on the food of Mount Kitanglad.

from cdo, take a trip directly to malaybalay. known place to stay are at pine hills hotel or haus malibu. also, there are many other inns in the place that wouldn’t cost you much. then try to eat at any resto in malyabalay. you sure will love it.

rent a cab for whole day trip. have a tour at nasuli, benedectine monastery, kaamulan grounds, mt carmel, see a plantation at nomiarc, take picture at alalum falls, but swim at gantungan. gantungan hides number of falls and a pool.

at night, have fun at bars inside the city.

the next day, if you’re for nature trekking, amazed yourself at mt kitanglad. this mt kitanglad trip would require at least two days.

pack up your bags and stay at dahilayan. this park is really for adventurous pipz out there.

this trip would really provide you relaxation in terms of nature, spiritual, and will thrill the adventure spirit within you…

if you have more time, maramag, and take a swim at different pools and/or be amazed by at blue water lagoon…

hello!i’m from davao city, i plan going to dahilayan adventure park this aug.how will i get there?is there any public utility vehicle which will take me to the place? a motorcycle perhaps or a jeepney?

It’s quite nostalgic to read about Bukidnon. I grew up in a small town called Sto. Nino in Manolo Fortich (circa 1960’s) and have great memories of the pristine beauty and cool climate of the place. I went to grade school in barefoot with my younger sister and walking through trails, we oftentimes encountered playing monkeys along the pathway. Whenever we wanted, we would stop by a mountain spring to drink water straight from the source to our mouths, or pick ripe bananas hanging from banana plants lining the way. When I get the chance I want to revisit this place to see how things have changed the past 50 years!